September 2 birthdays and deaths:

J. R. R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien, a renowned English author, crafted enduring tales of Middle-earth in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit". A philologist and scholar, he drew inspiration from Norse and Celtic mythologies, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of fantasy literature.

Deathyear: 1973

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese revolutionary, led the fight for independence from French colonial rule. He founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and served as its president.

Deathyear: 1969

Sidharth Shukla

Siddharth Shukla, born in 1980, is a talented Indian actor, renowned for his work in TV and film. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in shows like "Balika Vadhu" and "Bigg Boss 13", earning the title of "Chhote Baba" among fans.

Deathyear: 2021

Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl, a pioneering Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, was born in 1905. He developed logotherapy, a therapy focusing on finding meaning in life's suffering. Frankl survived Nazi concentration camps during WWII, writing "Man's Search for Meaning", a memoir on his experiences and the importance of finding meaning in life.

Deathyear: 1997

Bob Denver

Bob Denver was a beloved American actor, comedian, and singer, best known for his iconic roles as Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island" and Eddie Haskell's friend, Lumpy Rutherford, on "Father Knows Best."

Deathyear: 2005

Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy

Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the 14th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, serving from 2004 until his death in 2009. Known for his populist policies and infrastructure development, he was a prominent leader in Indian politics, born in 1949.

Deathyear: 2009

Kösem Sultan

Kösem Sultan, born in 1589, was the powerful Valide Sultan and regent of the Ottoman Empire, wife of Sultan Ahmed I and mother of Mustafa I. During her regency (1651-1656), she greatly influenced Ottoman politics and strengthened her family's position in the palace.

Deathyear: 1651

Jerry Heller

Jerry Heller was a renowned American music manager, born in 1940. He is best known for managing the careers of iconic rap group N.W.A. and other notable artists. Heller's management skills played a significant role in popularizing the gangsta rap genre.

Deathyear: 2016

Starship (band)

Mark Abrahamian was an American guitarist born in 1966. He was the lead guitarist of the band Cheap Trick. With his powerful and unique playing style, he added a distinct flavor to the band's sound.

Deathyear: 2012

Troy Donahue

Troy Donahue was a charismatic American actor who rose to fame in the 1950s and '60s. His dashing good looks and charming on-screen presence earned him a loyal fan base and roles in popular films like "A Summer Place" and "Palm Springs Weekend".

Deathyear: 2001

Alvin York

Alvin C. York, born in 1887, was a World War I Medal of Honor recipient and decorated colonel. He single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers in the Argonne Forest, and his heroic actions exemplified exceptional bravery and leadership.

Deathyear: 1964

Willi Ninja

Willi Ninja, a pioneering African American dancer and choreographer, was born in 1961. He is best known for his work in voguing, a dance style popularized in the ball culture of the 1970s and 1980s.

Deathyear: 2006

Simeon Stylites

Simeon Stylites, a Byzantine saint, lived a life of extreme asceticism. Born in 390 AD, he spent 37 years atop a pillar in Syria, praying and fasting. His remarkable endurance and holiness earned him recognition as a prophet and intercessor, and he was canonized as a saint.

Deathyear: 459

Christiaan Barnard

Christiaan Barnard, a pioneering South African surgeon and academic, performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant in 1967. Barnard's groundbreaking achievement revolutionized the field of cardiothoracic surgery and earned him international acclaim.

Deathyear: 2001

Henri Rousseau

Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) was a French Post-Impressionist painter known for his naive and fantastical depictions of jungle scenes and exotic landscapes. His colorful, intricate works often featured animals and foliage, showcasing his unique blend of realism and imagination.

Deathyear: 1910

Jiaqing Emperor

The Jiaqing Emperor (1760-1820) was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty. He ruled China from 1796 to 1820 and is known for his strong anti-opium policies and efforts to reform the corrupt imperial government.

Deathyear: 1820

Islam Karimov

Islam Karimov was the first and longest-serving President of Uzbekistan, serving from 1991 until his death in 2016. Born in 1938, Karimov was a Soviet-era bureaucrat who rose to prominence in the 1980s and ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist, suppressing opposition and authoritarianism.

Deathyear: 2016

Pierre de Coubertin

Pierre de Coubertin, a French historian and educator, founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894. He was a passionate advocate for the revival of the ancient Olympic Games and worked tirelessly to promote the values of Olympism, ultimately instrumental in shaping the modern Olympic Movement.

Deathyear: 1937

Barbara McClintock

Barbara McClintock was a pioneering American geneticist and botanist who discovered transposons and the mobile genetic elements. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, receiving the award in 1983 for her groundbreaking work on genome structure.

Deathyear: 1992

William Rowan Hamilton

William Rowan Hamilton (1805-1865) was a brilliant Irish physicist, astronomer, and mathematician. He made significant contributions to optics, dynamics, and algebra. His work on quaternions, a fundamental concept in mathematics, revolutionized fields like physics, engineering, and computer science, leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community.

Deathyear: 1865

Mikis Theodorakis

Mikis Theodorakis is a renowned Greek composer, born in 1925. He is best known for his music for the French New Wave film "Zorba the Greek" and has written numerous symphonies, operas, and film scores, blending classical and folk music elements.

Deathyear: 2021

Jonathan M. Wainwright (general)

Here is a 40-word summary about Jonathan M. Wainwright: Jonathan M. Wainwright IV was a US general who served in World War I and II. He led the US Eighth Army in the Philippines and was captured by the Japanese in 1942. Wainwright was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership.

Deathyear: 1953

Frank Drake

Frank Drake, a pioneering American radio astronomer and astrophysicist, was born in 1930. He is known for the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the galaxy that might be able to communicate with Earth.

Deathyear: 2022

Claire Wineland

Claire Wineland was an American activist and author born in 1997. Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Claire fought for awareness and support for those living with chronic illnesses. She wrote a memoir, "Chronically Metaphysical," and advocated for her condition, raising funds for research and support services.

Deathyear: 2018

Thomas Telford

Thomas Telford, a renowned Scottish engineer and architect, designed the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge, connecting the Isle of Anglesey to mainland Wales. Born in 1757, Telford's innovative design and construction techniques have stood the test of time, making the bridge a testament to his remarkable engineering prowess.

Deathyear: 1834

Bill Melendez

Bill Melendez was a renowned animator, director, producer, and voice actor, best known for his work on animated classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas, Snoopy, and Pink Panther. With a career spanning over 60 years, he brought joy and laughter to generations through his work.

Deathyear: 2008

Elvera Sanchez

Elvera Sanchez, an American dancer, was born in 1905. She was a pioneering figure in the world of modern dance, performing with Martha Graham's company and contributing to the development of contemporary dance.

Deathyear: 2000

Ronald Coase

Ronald Coase, a pioneering economist and Nobel laureate, revolutionized the field of economics with his influential ideas on public goods, externalities, and transaction costs. His work "The Nature of the Firm" (1937) remains a seminal contribution to the field.

Deathyear: 2013

Wilford Woodruff

Wilford Woodruff was the 4th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving from 1889-1898. Born in 1807, he played a significant role in the early history of the church, serving as a missionary, editor, and president of the LDS Church.

Deathyear: 1898

Frederik Pohl

Frederik Pohl is a renowned American author and publisher, born in 1919. He has written numerous science fiction and fantasy novels, including the award-winning "Heechee Saga" series.

Deathyear: 2013

Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson (1867-1922) was a renowned Australian poet and author, best known for his vivid portrayals of rural life and the struggles of the Australian bush. His works often explored themes of loneliness, hardship, and the human condition, earning him a prominent place in Australian literary history.

Deathyear: 1922

Robert Holmes à Court

Robert Holmes à Court was a prominent South African-Australian businessman and lawyer, born in 1937. He was the son of a prominent Afrikaner family, and acquired significant business interests through inheritance and opportunistic investments.

Deathyear: 1990

Jackie Blanchflower

Jackie Blanchflower was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. Born in 1933, he won 24 caps for his country and played in the 1958 World Cup.

Deathyear: 1998

Jean Victor Marie Moreau

Jean Victor Marie Moreau was a French general who played a crucial role in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1763, he was a talented military strategist and leader, earning him the nickname "The Hero of Germany" for his victories against the Austrians in the War of the Second Coalition.

Deathyear: 1813

Jay Youngblood

Jay Youngblood is an American professional wrestler, born on July 21, 1955. With a 16-year career, he held multiple titles, including the NWA World Tag Team Championship, WWF Tag Team Championship, and Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, earning him a spot in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Deathyear: 1985

Constantius III

Constantius III was a Roman emperor who ruled for only a few months in 411 AD. He was a successful Roman general and was hailed as emperor by his troops.

Deathyear: 421

David Jacobs (broadcaster)

David Jacobs is a renowned English television and radio host, born in 1926. With a career spanning over five decades, he has hosted various shows, including the popular BBC series "Yesterday's Witness" and London's "Desert Island Discs".

Deathyear: 2013

Russ Columbo

Russ Columbo was a talented American singer, violinist, and actor, born in 1908. He was a 1930s Hollywood heartthrob, starring in films and topping the music charts with romantic songs, his smooth vocals and classical training making him a beloved crooner of his time.

Deathyear: 1934

Philip William, Elector Palatine

Philip William, Elector Palatine, was a German nobleman born in 1615. He was the Count Palatine of Neuburg and the son of Frederick V, King of Bohemia. Philip William played a significant role in the Thirty Years' War, serving as an advisor to the Holy Roman Emperor and fighting alongside the Spanish forces.

Deathyear: 1690

Marsden Hartley

Marsden Hartley was a pioneering American artist and poet, known for his bold and expressive paintings of landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes. He was also a prominent figure in the early 20th-century art world, whose poetic prose reflecting his fascination with mysticism and the sublime.

Deathyear: 1943